The final totals for this year’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride are in and Guernseyman Lee Corbet has topped the Bournemouth – Poole route for individual amount raised.
He also came in fifth placed across his national region (England), and was within the top 20 globally (19th).
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride was launched in Sydney in 2012 by Mark Hawwa.
A now global event, it aims to bring together motorcycle enthusiasts to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer research and in support of men’s mental health charities.
Since its founding the initiative has expanded significantly, with more than half a million people taking part, and over $60.5 million raised worldwide in the process (roughly £44.9m).
This year’s ride also broke records with 1,068 rides taking place across 109 countries.
Mr Corbet said that he is “extremely grateful” to everyone who has helped him “raise so much money and awareness for such a worthy cause”.
Thanks to Mr Corbet’s efforts, his fundraising has garnered the attention of people in political positions in the South of England. He told Express that the Mayor of Christchurch has invited him for tea and cake.
It’s not the first time Mr Corbet has taken on the fundraising challenge through the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, and it won’t be the last, he said.
“I have also committed to taking part over there again next year.
“The Bournemouth-Poole Ride raised the second highest amount worldwide, next year I want to win and beat New York!”
The fundraising didn’t stop during the event either, with a further £1,000 donated to local charities in honour of Mr Corbet’s efforts, after Investec donated £500 to both Men’s Shed and Male Uprising Guernsey.
Mr Corbet attributes a lot of the success in raising the money to the generosity of Guernsey, and to those that helped him take the fight for fundraising to the top of the tables.
“Guernsey people, you are just incredible, and bat way above your weight when it comes to charity,” he said.
“It makes me proud to be a Guernseyman and a part of our community. We as an island have achieved this, not just me.”
